Highlights
- Men have a higher incidence of co-morbidity: Experts
- Health Ministry:About 37% of death is seen in patients age 45 to 60 years
- 50% of deaths were reported in patients above 60 years and above
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that of the people who died due to coronavirus in the country, 68 per cent are males and 32 per cent are females. Addressing a press conference on COVID-19 update in India, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan gave mortality analysis for COVID-19–gender and age-wise respectively.
These are cumulative figures. If you see the mortality analysis i.e. the deaths caused by the coronavirus, you will find that 68 per cent deaths are reported among male patients. And 32 per cent of deaths are among female patients. This is broadly in line with the global scenario also, although the percentages may differ, he said.
Mr. Bhushan further said that if one looks at age-wise mortality analysis, 50 per cent of deaths were reported in patients above 60 years and above; 37 per cent deaths were seen in among patients with the age group of 45 to 60 years. This means that on one side –there is a need to save lives of senior citizens, they should not go out unnecessary – and, on the other hand, there is a need to see that people between 45 to 60 years age group are also vulnerable too. Most importantly, those who are co-morbid should follow guidelines and everyone should wear mask, maintain doo-gaj-ki duri and hand hygiene.
According to the health ministry, about 11 per cent mortality was seen in patients with 26 to 44 years of age. Only one per cent fatality was observed in patients in the age group between 18 to 25 years and below 17 years of age.
Dr Raman Kumar, President of the Academy of Family Physicians of India said the higher mortality rate in men with COVID can be explained by two reasons – firstly men already have a higher incidence of co-morbid conditions and, secondly, studies have shown that the immune system of women elicits a more active response than men.
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NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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